Improvement in match-boxes



J. P. BENJAMIN.

MATCH-BOX.

No.18Z,884. Patented Oct.3,1876.

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MPETERS FHOTO-LATHOGRAFHER, WASmNGTON 0 CV UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. BENJAMIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN MATCH-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 182,884, dated October 3, 1876; application filed May 16,1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN P. BENJAMIN, 01 New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Match-Boxes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being bad to the accompanyin g drawings.

The object of my invention is to construct a match-box in such a manner, and in combination with a pressure device and igniting device, that the matches will be ignited as they are removed from the box, and can only be withdrawn therefrom one at a time.

The improvement will be fully hereinafter described and specifically pointed out in the claim, a preliminary description being therefore deemed unnecessary.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved match-box; Fig. 2, a central vertical section of the same; Fig. 3, a section on the line 3 y of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a cross-section taken at the top of the box and Fig. 5, a view of the bottom of the box.

A is the box, shown of oval form, (but any other shape may be given to it for convenience or utility,) which is made of metal; 19, the lid. hinged in the usual manner. 0 is a division-plate running the entire length of the box, forming two compartments, one for the reception of matches and the other, or smaller one, for the rod and spring. This division 0 is of a curved shape, and forms a channel or groove in the larger part just sufficient to hold one match. al is a spiral spring, one end attached to the bottom of the box. A rod, 0, works through the spring. This rod is provided at its upper end with a catch, f, one part of it projecting through and working in a slot formed in one side of the box, and the other, or lip portion, g, passing through the division 0, and working in a slot corresponding to the one formed in the case of the box. The lip g projects over the groove sufliciently to enable one match to be pressed down by it as it is operated by the spring.

in the bottom of the box opposite the groove is a device for igniting the match as it is withdrawn from the box. This device his formed of four or more sharp points converging together, leaving just space enough for the match to be pressed through, and as the head of the match comes in contact with the points a quick pull causes it to ignite instantaneously. The bottom of the box is provided with an aperture large enough to allow the match to pass through as it is pressed down by thelip of the rod.

The advantages of my construction will readily be seen, in that only one match can be removed from the box at a time, and the labor and annoyance of drawing the end of it to ignite it is avoided.

I do not limit my invention to the application of pocket-safes alone, as the same principle may be applied to match-boxes for ordinary household purposes with the same results.

I claim- The rod g, provided with catchf, lip e, and spiral spring d, arranged to operate in the guides or slotted portions of the divisionplate and case of a match-safe, substantially as described.

JOHN P. BENJAMIN.

Witnesses:

K. NEwELL, HENRY WHITTEMOEE. 

